Mini-Meet London this coming Sunday PM

[fastfreddy2]

I've mentioned it to a couple of members here already, location: Islington.

There's an opportunity to go somehwere to wear what you like on your feet in a closed environment this coming Sunday afternoon. [12-6pm] Entrance circa £5. Refreshment and food on site. They'll be opportunities to buy clothes and shoes, so maybe wise to bring some money. [Or not if the 'credit-crunch' has already found you? ]

Easy to reach from the South, and all parts Home Counties.

I intend to be there with my walking buddy lady-friend. In heels.

...

[Guest Loveshiheels]

I said I go in a PM to Fastfreddy2 on Sunday, and meet up with other heel wearing folks. Be a better meet if more people turn up.

[euchrid]

I'm going too. Should be interesting.

Lurkers & ditherers... read all about it here:-

Buckingham Palace Garden Party

[thedesigner]

hmm sounds gr8, will confirm...

[fastfreddy2]

I visited the gig location last night. I had thought it moved from its previous venue (where I had been a couple of times, years ago) but it hasn't. In some respects it's a perfect place for a "private" party. There are gates that prevent non-payers getting in, so in some ways, it guarantees privacy.

What I do have to report, is they have wasted no money having the outdoor area re-laid. The consequence of this, is the COBBLESTONE exterior, originally laid some 200 years ago (maybe) looks like it was laid by a seaman. The shape, gap size, and elevations of the stones mean it would be foolish to attempt stiletto's on this surface. In consequence, I for one won't be wearing them. Even with my wedges last night, I struggled to keep a secure footing.

Inside IIRC, it was wood flooring, on at least 2 levels. There's a largish bar, and basic menu for food. Sadly, I got there too late to sample it. Still, the Turkish restaurant off Upper St got the benefit of my wallet instead, and I had a very pleasant meal there.

Bit of aside, but the 3 people on the table next to me at the restaurant were foolishly indiscreet, when one of them noticed my wedge boots. Because one of them was caught whispering to her friends (one of whom immediately looked at my feet without checking to see if I was watching) were repaid in kind by me staring at them for pretty much the next 30 minutes. The blokey/plain looking - middle aged/lardy blonde who obviously had not seen a hairdresser this millennium and dressed in Maison de Oxfam, grabbed a second glance as she got up to leave.

These were a group of 3 middle-aged people sitting in a town, arguably the most cosmopolitan in London. Yet the dark haired whispering very fat bird with glasses, found it necessary to act like a school girl (something she would not have experienced for some considerable time), when confronted with something unusual.

I suppose gossiping about a bloke wearing heels, made her feel slimmer?

Annoyed? I was fuming.

....

[shyguy]

So how did it go for everyone who attended?

[fastfreddy2]

Executive summary:

Well, bit of a mixed bag, verging on disaster really.

Four of us arranged to meet at Shillbeers, home of the monthly London Fetish Fair.

I've been there a number of times, but some years ago. Mrs Freddy decided she was no longer interested in visiting after we witnessed attendees subjected to verbal abuse and water-bomb attacks from the "low-rent" <social housing> inhabitants of the accomodation opposite.

I have been assured this sort of attention had subsided after CCTV cameras had been installed.........

On the day.

I doubt anyone here with any personal contact with me, will need reminding my time-keeping is abysmal. I'd arranged to meet at 12:30pm and the SatNav confirmed that it was entirely possible. However, roadworks meant I actually arrived at 1pm. That's quite good for me BTW.

One of our number had arrived soon after 12 noon, and consoled himself with a beer and taking in the event. This included watching the Virgin "Rude" programme makers filming at the venue. On balance, this sort of incident would have had me bouncing back home (or at least elsewhere) but one of our number was 'lost in London' and we three needed to wait for him. If I remember, he took another 90 minutes to find us, so was 2 hours late.

One of the highlights of my day, was going to be a pleasant lunch somewhere with background interest. Sadly (I was told) the Chef cut the top of his finger off the night before, so there was no food. People were buying snacks from a small supermarket across the road ....

So, I (we) were dodging a film crew, going hungry, while waiting for one of the group to arrive......

By the time the late-comer found the venue, we had already decided to move on. I got the poor fella a drink, before we had a little walk around. There was nothing there for any of us. We'd all paid £5 entry and had really gotten nothing for it. I will NEVER go there again. [Which is a bit of a shame, because it has the potential of a great meeting place, even a monthly meeting place for HH wearers.]

As a side note, my escort told me after we left, a couple of men there had a 'titter' at us wearing HH's. I'm not sure how they felt themselves to be in a position to do this, because there was no-one there save 4 women, who were sartorially equipped to be critical. Most others there were middle-aged men 'gawpers' looking for attractive girls to fantasize about later ... I've never considered blue jeans with leather waist-coats to be qualifiers for anything other than the potential for a poor-taste-award. Had I been made aware of the 'smiles', I'd have gladly smiled back, or even complained to the management. [Though God knows I had plenty to complain about already!]

I noticed many others leaving after just a short period, including a rather tall/elegant (middle-aged) tanned blonde Lady, and partner. Both more at home in Mayfair or Kensington I'm sure. She was wearing stiletto's, and wisely left with them undamaged. My wedges weren't so lucky.

We decided to leave and the two out-of-town visitors wanted to visit Camden, so we left to go there. Walking up the road together in heels, a small group (3) low-renters had a cackle at our expense, but they were so far back down the street, 'conversation' wasn't possible. I walked back down the road and passed where they had been on to where my car was parked, but the group had dispersed. The one person left who may have been one of the group, had an appearance that told age had not been kind to her. Unless she was the grandmother to the child in the pusher she had with her?

At Camden we parked at Morrison which has 2 hour free parking. We arrived just before 4pm as the store was closing. I used the loo, and spoke to one of the security chaps about the parking arrangements. While there, I saw two 16 year old store-workers rush outside to look at something. Only later did I suspect (because I still don't know for sure) they may have been pointed at a man wearing heels outside. They walked past me twice, completely unaware I had 4" high wedges on .....

I tried to discourage the wearer from continuing with his heels on, because of the 3 incidents so far. He was keen, and I'm not his mother, so we carried on to the markets.

Pretty much everywhere we went the heels were noticed. Unsurpringly since they weren't hidden in any way, and being new to wearing heels outside, I suspect his walk isn't as elegant as it could be. I'm more used to wearing heels and find 4" completely natural. Several times my escort had to stop me striding on ahead of everyone else. I've walked around this place a number of times, and not experienced people staring, this time was much different.

We went to a number of shops, including the Aldo Outlet store. It resembled a Jumble Sale, but given we got there at the end of a busy summer Sunday, that should surprise no-one. We also went to 3 or 4 of the shops closer to the canal bridge that stock Pleaser shoes and boots. One particular shop had a good range, but most of the sizing information was missing.

Despite this, I eventually tried on some 5.5" knee boots, that fitted (literally) like a second skin. This told me they must be a size 6 [uS 8] and completely useless to me unless I wasn't going to wear them for long or planned wearing them sitting/laying down. The £40 price tag didn't help. Okay if I wanted them there and then, but this is the same shop I tried to buy from in February, where I got poor service from the (then) girl assistant. I certainly don't need to pay extra for poor service anywhere.

There was a young French mother in the shop trying hard to spend money too. Seems she had tried on quite a lot of shoes, and the shop-keeper was perhaps tiring of this. [in keeping with the overall service I expect.] She smiled at us all, and made a helpful comment to another of our group trying on shoes. Bless her!

The one 'highlight' of the visit to the shops for me, was finding some mens cowboy boots, with a moderately high heel. Again at £40, they were a little expensive, but I'll probably have another look at them on a cooler day. Not that I remember what shop they were in, but it wasn't the one with the "poor attitude" assistants.

Back outside and now after 5pm, one of our group left us, and the three of us remaining went toward Morrisons and the car park. Walking along the canal, were many people sitting on the pavement eating or drinking. Heels got noticed again. No loud comments, but smiles and whispers were evident. [No biggy really.]

Higher up and on the road to the car park, we were noticed by a couple of middle-aged (and attractive) lady shoppers. They made pleasant comments, and we had a rather entertaining conversation with them. We bid farewell, and moved further along the road. Almost immediately we passed 4 youths, from another 'low-rent' area. Three chaps, and one chapess. A rather loud comment was made about us being 'gay', and an equally loud guffaw followed. We were not equally mob-handed so confrontation was not the preferred course of action. Me starting a conversation with "Well, I can take my shoes off, but you'll always be ugly" wasn't seen by my escort as a wise move either, especially since my wearing HH might be a slight handicap to having to vacate the area quickly.

We got to our cars without further comment anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. I calmed down soon after.

Conclusion:

An interesting and 'different' day for me. Not wholly pleasant, but an experince that perhaps I'll get some benefit from.

I have in mind, the idea that a monthly or slightly less frequent but regular meet might be attractive to some of us?

....

["Wellies"]

Sadly your description of your afternoon is roughly what I would have expected. And that is why the shy members of the forum like to hide the fact that they are wearing hh's and are wary of meets with complete strangers. I think it would require such numbers that would make it possible to hire some sort of venue to solve the problem. I think your patience in the circumstances was outstanding. I wish you better luck next time.

[fastfreddy2]

Sadly your description of your afternoon is roughly what I would have expected. And that is why the shy members of the forum like to hide the fact that they are wearing hh's and are wary of meets with complete strangers.

I think it would require such numbers that would make it possible to hire some sort of venue to solve the problem.

I think your patience in the circumstances was outstanding.

I wish you better luck next time.

Actually, my patience was far from outstanding. True we waited, but with someone having driven up from the South coast, it would not have been the 'right' thing to do, if we had moved on without them.

I have not been the subject of so much attention before, and I think I know the reason why......

When I'm out in heels, I don't usually wear stiletto's in daylight, with a single exception of the Heel Meet '08. My trouser always hides my heel whatever type I'm wearing [stillies/wedges/blades/block/cuban-type] so I'm not telepgraphing my footwear style. Yes, my heels get noticed, but I'm not showing them off. <Watch out for my impending heel report about a visit to Cardiff.>

When I walk in heels, I walk like a girl would. (Apparently .) I have a slight hip rise as I stride, but my thighs/knees/feet stay aligned, and my knees straighten. Girls -typically- notice the hip rise as I walk, men don't. The front of my wedges look a little girlie, so sometimes get noticed, but not often. More recently I've been wearing much noiser 'block' (square) heeled boots, that get more people noticing, <again watch fror the Cardiff report> but still no remarks.

The guys at the meet fully expected (rightly so) to move around in a protected area, free to wear heels without criticism or remark. Sadly the camera and lack of food meant moving somewhere more open. They had perhaps expected Camden attendees to be more 'free thinking', but the place is full of (usually younger) foreign nationals at the weekend. In a big crowd a pair of Mary Janes clearing poking out the bottom of some jeans were not going to be noticed easily, but that isn't true in a quiet street. Noise and overall look meant attention would be drawn.

It wasn't great, but no-one got hurt, and only 'feathers' were ruffled.

I'm sure there are places where men can wear heals with impunity. I pretty much get away with what I like, so maybe I'm doing something right? But I take on board the remark about 'safe' venues, and arranging something around that need. I may be wiser by this time next week.

......

[Guest Loveshiheels]

Fastfreddy2 said it all in his last post. Yes, it was me that was very late. Had the directions to the place printed off from the computer. Got into the very heart of London wanted to find the road I wanted and there was no signs for any of the roads I needed, but I got to the venue in the end. I was expecting a large fetish fair but it turn out to be a pub that charged £5 to get in. Took about 15 minutes to have a look round the stalls. There were some good leather skirts and dresses for sell but no shoes. Very disappointing indeed, not be going there again. Did wear my new Mary Janes . We moved onto Camden, I again wore my Mary Janes, against the good advice from Fastfreddy2 telling me not to. To me it seemed silly not after coming all this way and not to were my heels. There were times when Fred had to wait for me, but I was just being careful with the cobble stones and having a look around as we walked past the Thames and the shops. I think I did very well in the way I walked as it was my first time The shops were very disappointing and had nothing in a size 9. But like Fred said it had been a very busy Sunday for them. There was one shop that a male member or staff asked me if I needed a hand and I said have you got anything in a size 9. Well he called out to another member of staff and I there thinking to myself that was not very discreet and since I was not going to buy any shoes, we moved on to the next shop. The last shop we came to sold Pleaser shoes downstairs. I did try a few pairs on and I had a French women tell me that the shoes run abit small as I was trying a pair on. I think that was because the shoes were still marked up in us sizing. On the way back to the car we had a nice chat to a couple of older women about us wearing heels. They asked us how we could wear heels and were we doing it for ourselves. The only bad part of the day came straight after that chat. Some youths shouted out gay to us. We did the right thing by carrying on walking, I didn,t even turn to look round. The last thing I wanted was a confrontation with those youths. I expected they had knives on them anyway. Took me just over two hours to get home and I live about 60 miles away. Would I do a mini meet again. Yes I would, just to meet other members here and I would still wear heels and try on female shoes. For other members not to sure about going to a meet. Remember you don,t have to wear heels or go shoe shopping but the chance to talk to other members in person, make the whole thing worth doing.

[shyguy]

Sorry to hear about your disappointing meeting, and the idiots who have nothing better to do but heckle other people. At least you all made it there and back safely and met fellow members of the HHPlace.

[Guest Loveshiheels]

Wasn,t all bad, me turning up very late didnt help. If I ever go back into London again, I must get myself Sat nav and give myself plently of time. The fetish fair was a complete waste of time but I did meet other members and got to walk in public in heels.

[at9]

I went to a couple of these fetish fairs a few years ago. Not sure if it was the same organisers - there might have been 2 rival fairs then. The venue was different (I think it was St Pancras town hall) and everything was very pleasant. All very low key and matter-of-fact, a bit like a school bazaar but with stalls selling fetish gear instead of cakes and bric-a-brac. Folks were friendly and encouraged you to try on everything from shoes to corsets. Visitors and stallholders wore anything from t-shirt/jeans to full fetish. Sounds like it's a pretty poor show now - I won't be too tempted to go again.

[euchrid]

Executive summary:Well, bit of a mixed bag, verging on disaster really.

Crikey. You paint a vivid and depressing picture. Our fellow heelers may never want to leave the safety of their armchairs now!

Always look on the bright side, I say! Anyway, here’s some thoughts from my perspective.

I too was totally under-whelmed by the Fetish Fair event itself.

I thought it was pretty small - quite easy to look round the whole thing within 30 minutes - whereas I'd expected to find something 10 times the size.

The 'demonstrations' that they were having appeared to be taking place in an underground carpark with a single-figure audience! (not that we were interested enough to check them out ourselves either!).

Aside from one girl in a stretchy catsuit, a bloke in a leather skirt and a couple of TV's, the stallholders were all fairly plainly dressed.

Not many visitors entered into the spirit either.

Where was all the rubber, latex and PVC clothing that was supposed to be on show? Short-changed or what? I'd have definitely been happier if there were more fetish fashion / costume-wearing people in there other than ordinary ‘people off the street’. That said, I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable wearing heels there once I’d put them on - maybe the 3 pints of lager had something to do with it!

As FastFreddy says, most of the punters in the place looked like middle-aged geezers out for a lech (as was I of course!). At least we gave them something to look at – probably not what they were hoping for though.

The venue is definitely a good place for a private gathering though. Maybe it could provide an alternative to The Miller one year?

The filming going on didn't phase me at all. I have no interest in appearing in the background of some late night perv-o-vision programme but in view of the 'tameness' of the venue, I didn't think it looked in any way dodgy. We were only sitting down having a beer - not licking strawberry milkshake off a dominatrix’s thigh boots (more’s the pity)

Our flying visit to Camden didn’t add much to the day unfortunately. I have probably been there a bit too often now to find anything interesting about that place. Also, Sunday is the busiest day they have and wading through herds of people to look at exorbitantly-priced plastic shoes was never going to be too enjoyable.

No time was left to get a proper meal either (noodles in a tin-foil tray does not cut it!). I’m sure if we had done that, we would have enjoyed the Camden visit much more - there would have been an opportunity for some people watching and a bit more indoor heel wearing for me.

Yeah, there were loads of people ‘clocking’ the stiletto Mary Jane’s worn by Loveshiheels. I only ever saw looks of amusement and a few nudges & head-nodding going on though – there was no unwelcome attention or ‘negative’ reactions when I was there. At least, I didn’t see or hear any myself. Kudos to Loveshiheels for “going for it” anyway.

In conclusion - Enjoyable but a bit of a disappointment. 5/10. Must try harder.

[fastfreddy2]

We moved onto Camden, I again wore my Mary Janes, against the good advice from Fastfreddy2 telling me not to. To me it seemed silly not after coming all this way and not to were my heels. There were times when Fred had to wait for me, but I was just being careful with the cobble stones and having a look around as we walked past the Thames and the shops. I think I did very well in the way I walked as it was my first time

I suggested you didn't wear them because of the terrain. And a little because you weren't that experienced street-healing. [As I understood.] Other than that, I was happy to support/go along with anything you wanted to try.

I think you deserve a medal for (i) walking around the original cobble-stoned venue and (ii) walking around around Camden Lock, both events in stiletto type heels. Definitely a case of "in at the deep end".

Crikey. You paint a vivid and depressing picture. Our fellow heelers may never want to leave the safety of their armchairs now!

--- snip ---

Aside from one girl in a stretchy catsuit, a bloke in a leather skirt and a couple of TV's, the stallholders were all fairly plainly dressed.

Not many visitors entered into the spirit either.

--- snip ---

Our flying visit to Camden didn’t add much to the day unfortunately. I have probably been there a bit too often now to find anything interesting about that place. Also, Sunday is the busiest day they have and wading through herds of people to look at exorbitantly-priced plastic shoes was never going to be too enjoyable.

No time was left to get a proper meal either (noodles in a tin-foil tray does not cut it!). I’m sure if we had done that, we would have enjoyed the Camden visit much more - there would have been an opportunity for some people watching and a bit more indoor heel wearing for me.

Hey!

Who's idea was Camden?

With 20/20 hindsight, we didn't have enough time there arriving close to 4pm, either to indulge ourselves (meal ~ watch the world go by), or acclimatise to a new location. Certainly, having left home at 11.30am, I was stretching my pass-out staying until 5.30pm as it was. [And with it, getting home after the journey back a tad after 6.30pm].

As for depressing, did any of us wish we hadn't gone? We're all a little wiser, and a little more experienced. None of us spent much money (Loveshiheels didn't even buy a drink ).

Another venue, another day?

....

[Guest Loveshiheels]

I,m glad I went on Sunday and I would still do all again at another venue. Also glad we moved on to Camden and that was also a good experience for me. Never got a chance to buy you a drink, but will do next time. It might of been my first time steet heeling, But once wore a dress in the night clubs in Benidorm. Still would like to go to Bluewater or Reading as there a shop that sells larger sized boots and shoes there.

[euchrid]

Hey! Who's idea was Camden?

Guilty as charged m'lud.

Another venue, another day?

Oh definitely. Count me in for that, when and wherever it may be.

[xaphod]

.... done the 'Fetish Fair' thing on occasion for years in the mid 90s. Later, when I was street-heeling, most people at these events were usually amazed that I intended to go shopping in the supermarket on the way home without changing. Last time I went up to the London Fetish Fair was about '03. I posted it one here and wrote a fairly negative comment about the place being mostly frequented by a bunch of male pervs rustling about the place in their rubber overcoats. Echoing Kneehighs' comments, I would suggest that fetish clubs don't easily fit the bill for our heeling foray into mainstream society. Xa

[fastfreddy2]

Echoing Kneehighs' comments, I would suggest that fetish clubs don't easily fit the bill for our heeling foray into mainstream society.

Xa

Eh?

What was the Porchester gig? I don't remember being pointed at, or the subject of amusement. Ditto the Skin Two gigs.

I think your own experience of this event was more accurate; "the place being mostly frequented by a bunch of male pervs rustling about the place in their rubber overcoats" .... I think little to do with style/fashion statements, and more to do with low-grade sexual tastes.

I'm not at all concerned I'm the subject of some derision by either closet perv's or juvenile delinquents. It's a nuisance and can make me feel uncomfortable for a while, but on balance, nothing I can't cope with.

....

[Thighboots2]

Gentlefolk,

Well it looks like I'm on my soapbox again, please bear with me whilst I ramble on. Nothing is personal here and my fire extinguisher is ready but it really shouldn't be necessary.

I do agree with Xa and KH, because from my perspective, wearing shoes with heels is not fetish. I wear those in my Avator and no one would ever say they were fetish. Such venues and fairs just harden societies viewpoint that heels (stilettos in particular) when worn by men are just a fetish thing - see the Sun newspaper posting elsewhere on the board.

Xa and I met for lunch a couple of years ago now - we must do that again m8 - both in heels with Xa in a 3/4 length skirt, and we had a pleasant meal without feeling we were something odd.

We really do have to distance ourselves from the fetish scene because it does more harm than good for those of us who just wish to incorporate heels into everyday wear. Just how we can do this excapes me but as the negative always seems to revolve around stiletto heels, then trying to incorporate them into everyday wear seems to me not to be feasable at the current time. It is all about the right shoe for the occasion.

Loveshiheels certainly has what it takes coupled with a thick enough skin to get out there in stiletto Mary Janes, but personally I would have said that these would have been more appropriate for the evening and a pair of 3"ish cuban heels would have been far more in keeping with the activity and not gained the very negative reactions reported (plus would have been easier on the ankle on Camden's cobblestones). I just imagine those who saw him probably thought he was the chap in the Sun newspaper.

Of course, these are my own opinions and I do not decry anyone from wearing what they want, when they want. What I do want is heel wearing by men to become uneventful - an everyday occurance.

We do seem to have a preoccupation with stiletto heels - me included - and I would love to wear them whenever I fancy, but if you want to go out in heels, then for goodness sake don't feed society's prejudices. Society just isn't ready for men in stiletto heels, its barely tolerant (IMHO) of men in heels full stop, but if the whole look is right, then you pass without any comment.

I have worn these heels

(http://www.hhplace.org/discuss/attachments/guys/1446d1202835027-don_t_just_do_something_sit_there-eddie_bauer_short_brogue_boot.jpg)

now for over two years every day for shopping, work and so on in the wrong part of London and had no problems whatsoever. This would not be the case if I was trying to do it on Stiletto heels.

It is absolutely essential that you are able to walk in heeled shoes, and I don't mean just a few yards or up and down the garden path, I mean serious distances, because if you struggle in any way, people will notice and soon see your problem and there you go - you'll be laughed at, but worse, you will comfirm society's belief that men can not wear heels.

Off soapbox now.

Be happy

Simon.

[fastfreddy2]

Simon, good post.

I can't see how heels can be removed from (inside) "fetish"? High heels have an almost inseparable association with sex... Looking sexy, being sexy.

Could you remove corsets, could you remove latex?

If any of us saw a girl walking down a street wearing a latex dress and a corset with leather over the knee stiletto boots, would be think "great style statement" or "fetish"?

There is an undeniable association with men wearing heels, and them being gay, or into a fetish look. We may not agree, we certainly don't like it, but it's out there. And with re-educating the general public, how are we going to change the perception of any other group if we avoid them?

In my mind at least, 'dressing to play' may be fetishistic, but it's about style. It's completely separate from people who want to beat other people up [sM] and those that might want to humiliate or be humiliated. [Role play.] I think just about everyone puts ANYTHING unusual into the 'fetish' genre, and sadly that seems to include people here. And why not? It's just what we are expected to do?

I'm trying hard to disassociate clothes from sex. Not easy with the years of programming I've had.

On another note .....

Your boots (linked) look similar to my current 'wear anywhere boot' seen here. [i've removed the ankle decoration BTW.] They are (as I keep saying) the MOST comfortable shoe I own. I'm not surprised you wear them at work, I too find them easy to wear all day.

I walked around Cambridge wearing my Fornarina boots earlier this year. Good place for a walk, good place for a Heel meet ...... I remember thinking at the time.

.....

[Thighboots2]

Fred, Both shoes in your pictures are fine (the ankle boots in particular) and you waft along quite un-noticed. I too have boots similar to your Forarina, albeit with a meer 3" heel, but I wear them at weekends with jeans and heel fully exposed. The only person who has ever commented to me was my niece who remarked that they were quite high heeled for cowboy boots, but accepted them nevertheless. You do say there is an undeniable association with men wearing heels and the gay/fetish thing. Do you mean stiletto heels, as I am sure that if you ask anyone to describe a high heeled shoe, they will almost universally describe a 4" pointed toe court with a stiletto heel. Stiletto heels = sexy, ask any woman. The chunkier the heel the less sexy the shoe despite what the fashionistas try to tell us. It reminds me of when I am flying and your standing in immigration waiting your turn and you see your flight crew walk past. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the stewardess' wearing stiletto heels and dismiss the chunkier ones even if they are the same height. Will we never learn. We are men not women. Society is not going to change its perception on a man wearing stiletto heels - ever. So if in our readers minds it is stiletto heels or nothing, then they had better get used to nothing. Its a shame we are discussing this, which is way of the original topic, in this thread as it would be great to read other opinions, but they would be unlikely to open the thread because it is not relevant to them. mods - help? Simon.

[fastfreddy2]

Will we never learn. We are men not women. Society is not going to change its perception on a man wearing stiletto heels - ever. So if in our readers minds it is stiletto heels or nothing, then they had better get used to nothing.

Its a shame we are discussing this, which is way of the original topic, in this thread as it would be great to read other opinions, but they would be unlikely to open the thread because it is not relevant to them. mods - help?

Simon.

I agree with the remark made in the first paragraph above. Bit defeatist (of us both) but I think it's a reality that needs to be faced.

That said, I'm moderately happy to walk about in stiletto heels after dark. I wear jeans that cover the heels of anything I'm wearing, and usually manage to walk 'in-step' with my escort. It's hard to know it's me wearing the heels from sound alone.

I dunno this debate needs to be moved. It's entirely pertinent to the expectations and opportunity for UK street heelers.

Some months ago, I saw a question posed that went something along the line of; "Do you want to wear heels, or do you want to wear girls shoes?" I want to wear heels. Girls get a better deal on designs, so girls heels are going to be more attractive to me. While I like the idea of wearing 5" stiletto heels while I walk down the street, they're just not practical unless worn on a smooth floor. [safety to me, and the condition of the heels.]

So what is practical and wearable for street-healing? So far, stiletto's are out. Too prone to damage, and too noisey. Thicker heels last longer, and are more easy to disguise. Not rocket science?

My conclusion, is that just about ANY man can wear 2" - 3" block heels under suitably long trousers, just about anywhere. I saw some men's 'western' style boots in Camden Sunday, and I'm convinced they had 2"+ heels. [Certainly no lower.]

I'm not sure why more of the members here, are not turning up to 'meets', I'm also not sure why the ones who do turn up aren't wearing this sort of shoe or boot? I'm not complaining, I'm just a bit frustrated I suppose, there are not more of us out there wearing heels. Publically, if discreetly.

....

[Thighboots2]

I'm not sure why more of the members here, are not turning up to 'meets', I'm also not sure why the ones who do turn up aren't wearing this sort of shoe or boot? I'm not complaining, I'm just a bit frustrated I suppose, there are not more of us out there wearing heels. Publically, if discreetly.

....

Fred,

Can't really comment on numbers, but why should attendees wear heels just because it is a heel meet, surely its about meeting the faces and personalities being the handle rather than look at what I am brave enough to wear. Also remember the fear of being spotted and associated with a mean wearing high heels however remote a chance it is. You said back in March this year "I do have something to fear if my whole social circle found out about my interest in wearing heels." So why should it be any different for anyone else. But I think this was before you followed my reasoning on the style of heel and having taken to wedges and block heels that you are now wearing heels. You see the prejudices still exist and I quote another of your posts from February "However, I go out most nights, walking quieter streets. If I go out early, I usually go with a 'lady-friend' who enjoys the walks, but doesn't want her friends to meet us, as she'd rather not have to explain what's going on." this time its your walking partner who is afraid of the prejudices of being with a man in stiletto heels.

You have come a long way since you joined the board, and now wear sensible heels all over the place, but do you do this whereever you please? Have you put your past years behind you and now see heels as part of your fashion statement? I believe from your writings that you have. Bravo.

Would more of the members focus on the fashion aspect and less on their desires to wear stiletto heels they would also break free of the mould.

Simon.

[fastfreddy2]

Fred,

Can't really comment on numbers, but why should attendees wear heels just because it is a heel meet, surely its about meeting the faces and personalities being the handle rather than look at what I am brave enough to wear. Also remember the fear of being spotted and associated with a mean wearing high heels however remote a chance it is. You said back in March this year "I do have something to fear if my whole social circle found out about my interest in wearing heels." So why should it be any different for anyone else. But I think this was before you followed my reasoning on the style of heel and having taken to wedges and block heels that you are now wearing heels. You see the prejudices still exist and I quote another of your posts from February "However, I go out most nights, walking quieter streets. If I go out early, I usually go with a 'lady-friend' who enjoys the walks, but doesn't want her friends to meet us, as she'd rather not have to explain what's going on." this time its your walking partner who is afraid of the prejudices of being with a man in stiletto heels.

A lot of these remarks are out of context with regard to my comments I think, so let me put them back in.

I said I was surprised that more people didn't attend 'meets'. I never mentioned (or suggested) the wearing of HH to be a prerequesite of meeting up? In fact (since you are so familiar with my previous postings) you will know that prior to the meet at Watford which was close to my home town, I wrote I would NOT be wearing heels there, under any circumstances? [Although I did in the evening, as it turned out.] Can't say I was personally over-bothered about being seen with men wearing heels though. No-one wore stiletto's, so that helped.

For my part, I don't expect anyone to meet me in heels nor me meet them wearing them, at least not for the first time anyway. And as a couple of comments in this thread confirm, I actually discouraged one of our group from wearing them publically last time. [Especially since it was their first time out in them.]

As this thread confirms, it wasn't long after the 2008 World Heel Meet, I was out and about in heels during daylight. All of my previous HH wearing was done dressed 'en femme' at night in Clubs, many many years ago. Getting out in daylight wearing heels, was quite an experience. I quickly learned what was 'passable', and have been evangelising about it ever since. [As here.]

During the long dark Winter months, I was able to wear stiletto's out during the evening in neighbouring towns, and sometimes locally. Even under cover of darkness, there was a need to be discreet, as you rightly quoted. Nothing is different, and light evenings have all but stopped my walks out.

I expect the need for discretion is the same for everyone else (for the most part), and it's why the chosen location for the meeting places mean EVERYONE travels to them. London and the anonimity it offers, is good for me as it's only a 30-40 minute journey by car. But I've been all over the Northern Home Counties in heels now. Been 'twigged' a number of times, but no bad experiences .... yet.

I'm enjoying it so much, I tend to evangelise even more!

Of course I'd love to wear heels 24/7 (I think), but it's not realistic. Oddly, I very seldomly wear them at home, and only then, when I'm getting new shoes or boots used to my feet.

So, I don't expect to meet (men) wearing heels, though I hope they do. And I don't expect anyone to prejudice themselves wearing them in their home town, because I won't. Though I have worn the Fornarina's food shopping at the local supermarket.

Now that my comments are less ambiguous ....

So I'm wondering why people from here who are obviously interested in all things heeling, don't meet up more often. I wonder why, given the amount of support a group can provide, more men (who want to wear heels) are not doing it in a group? And if/when they do, why they don't use more 'passable' styles? [Ref our comments above.]

I'm certainly not suggesting anyone else is wrong in what they do, nor that they should be doing something else. I'm just surprised more people are not doing what they want to do? Because it seems to me, it's easily done once you try.

...

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[Guest Loveshiheels]

Thr main reason I went to this meet was to meet other members, try on a few pairs and to wear my new Mary Janes. Didn,t really get to try on any heels. Aldo was a complete was of time. Aldo, only seem to have sizes 5 and 6 on display. I,m a size 9-10. Should I have to ask a sales person to get me a size 9, I don,t think I should have to. I don,t want to be pressurize by buying a pair of heels by having the sale person with me. As for me wearing a pair of stiletto heels out. I only own stiletto heels at the moment. I don,t wear any heels out side my house and the chances for me to wear heels out in public are very rare. I had the chance to go a mini meet and wear my heels so I did. Had I not wore my stiletto heels out, apart from meeting other members from here, the whole trip would of been a complete of waste of time and it may of put me of from going to other meets. It was my first time out in heels, but I had no problem with the cobblestones what so ever. I did not trip up, fall over or wobble on my stillettos. My feet did not even hurt at all, all the time I was wearing them. I proved that men can wear heels and still walk very well in them. I can understand if other members want to wear block or other type of heels and be more discreet, but theres a part of me that want other people to see me wearing heels. I am doing nothing wrong in wearing heels. As I start to wear heels out more and I worn those stiletto a few times out (get a little use out of them) I be more then happy to buy a pair of less discreet heels, but it will be from a shop not from the internet. Apart from the one bad comment made by some youths I did not notice or hear any bad comments. I felt a little annoyed about the comments made to Fred's lady friend. There does seem to be a lack of interest with other members on here wanting to meet up. I know of 2 other members who live near me, both wanting to meet up, but not heard anything back from them. I am a very shy bloke, but I wanted to wear heels out and meet other member and I have made the effort to do this.

[Thighboots2]

So I'm wondering why people from here who are obviously interested in all things heeling, don't meet up more often. I wonder why, given the amount of support a group can provide, more men (who want to wear heels) are not doing it in a group? And if/when they do, why they don't use more 'passable' styles? [Ref our comments above.]

SNIP... I'm just surprised more people are not doing what they want to do? Because it seems to me, it's easily done once you try.

Fred,

My apologies if I have caused offense, I was trying - badly - to express myself. The written word is the hardest medium to express yourself sometimes.

In the bit I quote above 1st paragraph, and purely frojm my own perspective, I find it difficult to make space to attend such meets. Weekends and evenings are inevitably out of the question, and doing the shopping thing doesn't interest me. Doesn't leave much. I have been to a coule of meets for the lunchtime social where it was localish to work, and I have met with a couple of the members just for lunch and once for a beer after work in Covent Garden and that was exceedingly pleasant. Its about all I can manage timewise. Maybe this is one of the reasons why so many are unable to make it. I dunno, you would need to ask the question in a different thread I guess.

The 2nd paragraph, well I surmise this is because they are struggling to come to terms with doing something that has been drummed into them as being wrong. As you say, once done, its easy. They need to find that comfort zone that we have already found. I certainly have been there and can empathise with where they are.

LovesHiHeels,

You have my total respect for doing exactly what you wanted to do. If ALL the board members plus all the other men in the world (estimated as 1 in 20) who wear heels discreetly put on their heels and stood up and were counted, then this really would be a non-issue, and society would have to take note.

On the block heels vs stiletto heels thing, I wear heels with at least 1" base, because when I take that final look in teh mirror before leaving the house, I feel I look right - for me. I have tried this test with a pair of stiletto heels the exact same height and I don't like what I see - proportionatly I don't think I look good in stiletto heels, so I refrain from using them outside the home. If society couldn't care less what heels a man wore, I still wouldn't wear them even though I enjoy doing so.

Finally your comments about Aldos and shoe sizes, you sound like we have similar foot sizes, I really don't know where in the UK highstreet you will find shoes on the shelf to fit, other than Evans who specialise in the larger footprint.

Have a good weekend guys.

I am really enjoying this thread.

Simon.

[fastfreddy2]

I can understand if other members want to wear block or other type of heels and be more discreet, but theres a part of me that want other people to see me wearing heels. I am doing nothing wrong in wearing heels. As I start to wear heels out more and I worn those stiletto a few times out (get a little use out of them) I be more then happy to buy a pair of less [ more?] discreet heels, but it will be from a shop not from the internet.

Sounds like you want to be a martyr to the cause? This is of course okay if you are alone, but in a group, surely you do what the group does? Or maybe next time, if you want to show off your heels, we'll follow at a discreet distance?

Fred,

My apologies if I have caused offense, I was trying - badly - to express myself. The written word is the hardest medium to express yourself sometimes.

In the bit I quote above 1st paragraph, and purely frojm my own perspective, I find it difficult to make space to attend such meets. Weekends and evenings are inevitably out of the question, and doing the shopping thing doesn't interest me. Doesn't leave much. I have been to a coule of meets for the lunchtime social where it was localish to work, and I have met with a couple of the members just for lunch and once for a beer after work in Covent Garden and that was exceedingly pleasant. Its about all I can manage timewise. Maybe this is one of the reasons why so many are unable to make it. I dunno, you would need to ask the question in a different thread I guess.

Simon,

No offence taken sir!

As I've said before, I flatter myself we are very like minded. [Meaning, you are intelligent, and provide well-thought-out posts. I'd like to think I do my bit too. ]

I'm surprisingly local to you (Cambridge) once a month, as I visit family in your area on a Sunday every 3 or 4 weeks. Next Sunday for example, I have been recruited (under duress) to take photographs at a family wedding in a hotel up by you. Hence my 'hint' at a meet.

One or two here have proposed a mid-week, daytime meet. Oxford St and Covent Garden are all reachable on foot, even in heels. While "shopping" (which for me often excludes spending money) may be the UK's top recreational activity, I can understand why you might not enjoy it. That said, it makes for great exercise, especially wandering around huge malls like Milton Keynes. [Though I don't like the place much for anything other than walking.]

If you are up for a natter over a coffee in London, I would be too.

As for those who (as you say) haven't got time to attend a "meet", I'd propose a counter-position to that notion:

No-one on this planet should be so busy doing things they must/have to do, that they can't find <at least> 2 afternoons each year to meet their otherwise 'virtual' friends F-2-F. If they are actually that busy, (as opposed to being poor time-managers), I would seriously recommend a review of their lifestyle and their life expectancy? In a UK Prison, convicted in-mates are entitled to a minimum of 1 hour every 2 weeks for F-2-F visits, and Prisons are expected to provide longer visiting periods than this minimum figure. Even that time equates to a little over 4 off, 6 hour periods each year.

As with all walks of life, I think perhaps there are those who would like to 'do' something adventuous, and thoe who prefer to be a spectator?

....

[loswabs]

I've been to LFF on a number of occasions, usually wearing stilettoes. In all that time I've not once had an adverse experience. On the contrary, I've been complimented quite a few times on my heels, ability to walk in them and generally how good I look. Yes, LFF is a small market for buying fetish apparel, but it's also usually a good place to meet friends, relax and have a good time. Having said that, I think Shillibeers is a poor location as everything is so crammed together and the cobbles outside are ankle breakers waiting to do their worst. The filming which was mentioned really does concern me though. They filmed there last year for a piece which was broadcast on I think Channel 4, but people were notified in advance on their web-site and via e-mail. Even so this caused quite a kerfuffle and many regulars didn't go that month. Indeed, we left earlier than usually as dodging a camera is no fun. This time there was no such prior warning and that to me is unforgiveable. Does anyone know who / what was being filmed and when it's likely to be broadcast? Were you warned prior to, or at the point of entry that filimng was being done? It's a shame you felt like outsiders because one thing I've learn over the last couple of years is that 99.9% of people in the BDSM / fetish scene are friendly and a non-judgemental bunch. Perhaps you were just unlucky and a few idiots got in to "take the piss" out of everyone?

[Guest Loveshiheels]

We had no warning about any filming that was being done before we got there. As for people taking the piss out of us, I didnt notice any. Just a bit of a piss take of charging £5 to get in and not much going on when you do get in.